-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Bahrain has revoked the citizenship of 31 Shiite activists , the latest clampdown on the opposition amid continued unrest in the Persian Gulf kingdom .

The state-run Bahrain TV announced the move Tuesday evening , citing an Interior Ministry statement . The television anchor read out the names of the 31 activists , which included Jawad Fairouz , a former member of parliament for the Shiite opposition group Al-Wefaq , and his brother , Jalal .

Among the other prominent opposition figures who were stripped of their citizenship were Said al-Shihabi , the head of the Freemen of Bahrain movement , and Ali Hassan Mushaima , the son of the leader of Al-Haq group .

Also on the list were three Shiite clerics : Hussein Mirza , Khaled Mansour Sanad and Alawi Sharaf .

The Interior Ministry statement Tuesday said the country 's Citizenship Act `` allows the kingdom the right to revoke the citizenship of anyone who is charged with being a threat to the state 's security , '' Bahrain TV reported . Those who object to the decision have the right to challenge it in court , it added .

Two prominent Bahraini groups , the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights and Bahrain Center for Human Rights , decried the move .

The groups said they had `` grave concern over the systematic targeting of prominent political activists , former members of parliament , clerics and others . The Bahraini authorities did not provide substantial evidence as to why these individuals ' citizenships have been revoked . ''

Rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch similarly condemned the move .

`` The authorities have provided the vaguest of reasons for the deprivation of nationality , which appears to have been taken on the basis of the victims ' political views , '' said Philip Luther , Amnesty International 's director for the Middle East and North Africa .

`` Most worryingly , the authorities are making some in the group stateless . This , as well as any arbitrary deprivation of nationality , is prohibited under international law , '' he said .

`` We urgently call on the Bahraini authorities to rescind this frightening and chilling decision . ''

The government decision `` seems to completely disregard their basic rights , '' said Joe Stork , deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch . `` There is no justification for equating political dissent with damaging Bahrain 's security . ''

Bahraini authorities imposed a ban late last month on public protests , saying it was necessary to rein in violence . But Amnesty International said the move breached people 's right to free speech .

Violent clashes have broken out between security forces and opposition protesters on numerous occasions since protests began in the island nation in February 2011 , spurred by uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt .

Bahrain 's ruling Khalifa family is Sunni Muslim , but about two-thirds of the country 's people are Shiite .

The country is strategically important for the United States in the region and it is home to the U.S. Navy 's 5th Fleet .

CNN 's Mohammed Jamjoom contributed to this report .

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NEW : Amnesty International urges Bahrain to rescind its `` frightening and chilling decision ''

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The list of 31 Shiites stripped of citizenship includes prominent opposition figures

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Clashes have taken place between the government and opposition since last year

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Bahrain 's ruling family is Sunni , but about two-thirds of the country 's people are Shiite